Durant’s offense and defense boosts him on Thursday night’s studs and duds

Kevin Durant has the unfair reputation of being a shoot-first offensive machine after leading the league in scoring last season.

But Durant showed a different facet of his game Thursday night in a huge overtime victory for Oklahoma City at Portland. His late defense on Brandon Roy sparked the Thunder’s triumph that was desparately needed after two straight early losses threatened to squash much of their early momentum.

Durant stepped up defensively against Brandon Roy and the Thunder escaped from Portland with a victory. It was a huge statement for the team and its best player.

Here are some of the standouts and those who struggled from a light schedule around the league Thursday night.

Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook: Went for 28 points – including 10 of 10 foul shooting – and added 11 rebounds and a team-high five assists in the Thunder’s victory at Portland.

New York’s perimeter game: The Knicks hit 16 of 24 3-pointers to spark their 120-112 triumph over Chicago, blistering the league’s best perimeter defense in the process.

New York G Toney Douglas: Scored 30 points after going 9-for-14 from the field, including five 3-pointers, in the Knicks’ victory at Chicago.

New York G Raymond Felton: Produced 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Knicks’ victory over Chicago.

Chicago G Derrick Rose: Scored 24 points and added 14 assists in the Bulls’ loss, despite missing the final 9:31 of the game after New York had pulled away.

DUDS

New York F Amar’e Stoudemire: Went 5-for-21 from the field, had eight turnovers and fouled out in New York’s victory over Chicago.

Portland’s backcourt: Starting guards Andre Miller and Brandon Roy went a combined 13-of-35 from the field (37.1 percent) in the Trail Blazers’ overtime loss to Oklahoma City. Roy missed two key jumpers at the end of regulation.